Makita Industrial Power Tools, the Official Power Tool Sponsor of the Mexican National Soccer Team, announced that Mexico will play in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

LA MIRADA, Calif. – Makita Industrial Power Tools, the Official Power Tool Sponsor of the Mexican National Soccer Team, announced that Mexico will play in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Mexico is positioned in Group A along with France, South Africa, and Uruguay. The team will open the World Cup against the host country South Africa on Friday, June 11, at 10 a.m. EST in Johannesburg. Makita, the Official Power Tool Sponsor of the Mexican National Team and also of Major League Soccer, is well acquainted with soccer and the sport’s growing popularity in the U.S. With both the United States and Mexico qualifying for the World Cup, excitement among soccer fans in the U.S. is peaking.

“As an active sponsor and supporter of the Mexican National Team in the U.S., Makita has watched the team fill stadiums across the country,” said Raquel Navarette, marketing specialist, emerging markets at Makita. “Although the 2010 World Cup games are taking place half way around the world, there is plenty of excitement for the opening match here in the U.S.”

The Mexican National Team battled through the World Cup qualifying process which began in August 2007. Out of 204 countries, Mexico is one of only 32 national teams to qualify for the 2010 event, which marks the fifth straight World Cup for Mexico.

Mexico played several exhibition matches leading up to the World Cup, including sold-out games at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey, Soldier Field in Chicago, and Reliant Stadium in Houston. At most matches, Makita was on-site with Experience More, a 53-foot interactive tool display on wheels, to meet the fans and share the very latest best-in-class power tool solutions.

Makita’s active sponsorship of the Mexican National Team and Major League Soccer is part of the company’s effort to integrate the Makita brand into the life and passions of the Hispanic contractor. Recently, the company launched a “Build your Dreams” campaign that focuses on the benefits realized by Hispanic contractors who use Makita power tools.

“The Hispanic contractor is a vital part of the U.S. construction industry, and our participation in soccer and our new ‘Build Your Dreams’ campaign allows us to make a connection,” said Navarrete. “We’ve met thousands of passionate soccer fans at stadiums and jobsites across the U.S., and we share their excitement on the eve of the 2010 World Cup.”